According to a statement released by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN), on Thursday, August 22, 2024, the loan, secured on semi-concessional terms, will be directed towards various projects, including urban economic development in two secondary cities and one district town, Government-funded modern irrigation (GFI), and the Sustainable Agriculture Intensification and Food Security Project (SAIP).
The ministry noted that these initiatives align with Rwanda’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework, reflecting the country’s unwavering commitment to building a sustainable and resilient future.
The successful acquisition of this funding was made possible by a positive second-party opinion from S&P Global Ratings, a credit rating agency on Rwanda’s ESG framework.
Lauding the approval, the ministry said, “This endorsement underscores Rwanda’s dedication to responsible governance and sustainable development, further enhancing its credibility as a borrower committed to upholding ESG principles.”
Rwanda has made significant strides in developing a robust ESG framework aimed at attracting investments and achieving sustainable development goals. This innovative approach aligns with the country’s long-term vision, particularly given the limited concessional financing available from traditional development partners.
With an ambitious goal of reaching upper middle-income status by 2035 and becoming a high-income country by 2050, Rwanda understands the importance of securing sustainable financing to realize this vision.
The ESG framework serves as a comprehensive set of standards, assessing Rwanda’s management of environmental impact, social policies, and governance practices. It offers valuable insights for investors, policymakers, and international organizations into Rwanda’s commitment to sustainability, ethical business practices, social responsibility, risk management, innovation, competitiveness, and long-term stability.
By strengthening its ESG framework, Rwanda aims to create new opportunities for investment, bolster its reputation as a nation dedicated to sustainability and responsible business practices, and enhance its overall competitiveness and long-term sustainability.
This comes days after WHO declared Mpox a public health emergency of international concern based on the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that has spread to at least 13 other African countries, with several imported cases in Europe and Asia.
In a recent opinion piece published in the French magazine Jeune Afrique, Dr. Mihigo questioned why Africa has been left to struggle with repeated Mpox outbreaks for decades, despite the infection being caused by a virus known for many decades, unlike recent health emergencies such as COVID-19, which was first reported in China.
Dr. Mihigo called for concerted efforts to eradicate the outbreak of the viral disease, which had also been declared a public health emergency of continental security by Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
He emphasized that increased collaboration between different countries, the private sector, and research bodies is necessary to lower the cost of vaccine production and immunization, thereby improving access to vaccines in low-income countries, which are often the most affected.
“Continental and global public health institutions, including financial partners, must contribute. Significant investments in research and development for local pharmaceutical industries are still necessary. The accumulation of patents, technologies, and vaccines in one part of the world is a counterproductive tactic. On the other hand, the creation of platforms and mechanisms for inter-state solidarity is necessary,” Dr. Mihigo explained.
For the collaborations to materialize, Dr. Mihigo said, WHO and Africa CDC have a “crucial role to play”.
“Africa should not face this epidemic alone. Nor should it bear the human cost of a disease we can and must eradicate on its own. By acting today, we can not only contain and eradicate monkeypox but also prepare our health systems to face tomorrow’s health threats,” DR. Mihigo stated.
Dr. Mihigo argued that systematic vaccination efforts have been halted since the eradication of smallpox in 1977, even though smallpox vaccination provided cross-protection against monkeypox.
According to him, there are about 200,000 vaccine doses available worldwide for the Mpox virus, a figure that is far too low considering the actual needs.
To address the threat that Mpox poses, he explained that several million vaccine doses are necessary to meet the demands of the East African region alone.
At the same time, Dr Mihigo emphasized the need to strengthen local health systems to handle emerging diseases.
“Developing a comprehensive strategy to combat this disease by strengthening capacities and empowering our health systems must be our priority,” he observed.
“It is time for Africa to place health at the heart of its development. This requires better resilience of health systems, adapted to local contexts, including socio-cultural, economic, and environmental determinants.”
He observed that the resurgence of Mpox outbreak also calls for the emergence of an intra-African and international public health pact.
“The WHO Africa office, for which I am a candidate for leadership, must play a pivotal role in redefining, in collaboration with the concerned countries, health priorities,” he stated.
The Regional Committee of the WHO African Region will vote to nominate the next Regional Director in a closed-door meeting during its 74th session from 26th to 30th August 2024 in Congo Brazzaville.
Dr. Mihigo is running against Dr. N’da Konan Michel Yao from Ivory Coast, Dr. Boureima Hama Sambo of Niger, Senegalese Dr. Ibrahima Socé Fall and Tanzanian Doctor Faustine Engelbert Ndugulile.
Although their tasks are challenging, they are not expected to perform miracles. The principle of compensation for work done is firmly rooted in the belief that those who work deserve to be paid, a notion even reflected in the biblical saying, “He who does not work shall not eat!”
To ensure that these officials remain focused and are not tempted by corruption, their remuneration has been clearly stipulated by the laws of Rwanda.
For Rwanda’s top political leaders, from the President to Members of Parliament, salaries have long been established under Presidential Order No. 004/01 of 16/02/2017.
This order defines the salaries and fringe benefits for high-ranking state officials and outlines the modalities of their allocation.
According to this order, the Government of Rwanda will allocate at least 79.4 million Rwandan Francs (Rwf) every month for the salaries of the 21 Ministers and nine State Ministers who have recently taken office.
The Cabinet will support President Kagame in delivering on the promises made to the citizens over the new five-year term. The order not only specifies the salaries of senior officials but also clarifies the specific benefits provided to both elected officials and those appointed by the President.
The top five leaders in the country receive different gross monthly salaries. The President of the Republic is entitled to a salary of Rwf6,102,756, while the President of the Senate, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, President of the Supreme Court, and Prime Minister each receive a monthly gross salary of Rwf4,346,156.
In addition to his salary, the President of the Republic is entitled to a fully furnished residential house, five permanent official vehicles with all maintenance costs paid by the state, an office entertainment allowance, and modern communication equipment paid by the state.
Furthermore, the President receives Rwf6,500,000 per month for residence and guest entertainment allowance, with household expenses including water and electricity covered by the state, along with continuous security at work, home, and any other place.
Other senior officials, such as the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, and the Prime Minister, are each entitled to a fully furnished residential house, one official vehicle with maintenance expenses covered by the state, Rwf600,000 for office entertainment allowance, modern communication equipment at work and home, Rwf600,000 per month for residential guest entertainment allowance, state-covered water and electricity bills, and continuous security at work, home, and anywhere else as deemed necessary.
Ministers in the Government of Rwanda receive a monthly gross salary of Rwf2,534,861, which is also the salary allocated to the Vice Presidents of the Senate and the Vice Speakers of the Chamber of Deputies. State Ministers receive a monthly gross salary of Rwf2,434,613, and Members of Parliament receive a gross monthly salary of Rwf1,774,540 each.
Considering the top five political leaders, ministers, state secretaries, and members of parliament, the government will disburse over Rwf235 million each month, excluding additional specific benefits beyond their salaries.
Amy Pope, director general of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), said the funds will also be used to provide healthcare services to internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities in the region.
“We must act swiftly to protect those at the highest risk and to mitigate the impact of this outbreak on the region,” Pope said in a statement issued in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.
She said the spread of mpox disease, which has emerged as a public health emergency of international concern amid a surge in cross-border transmissions, is a critical concern, especially for vulnerable migrants, highly mobile populations, and displaced communities often overlooked in such crises.
The IOM said the required funds will be used to enhance the capacity to respond to the needs of migrants, IDPs, and host communities by supporting infection, prevention, and control measures, particularly at borders.
The UN agency said the funding will be used to build the capacity of national healthcare workers and front-line responders and enable the identification of high-risk areas to ensure effective monitoring of the disease and reduce its spread across borders.
Mpox is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus that is spread through close contact, including fever, swelling of the lymph nodes, sore throat, muscle aches, skin rash, and back pain.
The rapid spread of the new strain of the disease led the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare mpox a public health emergency of international concern on Aug. 14.
According to the WHO, there are over 15,000 suspected cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo alone, including 537 deaths. Other cases have been confirmed in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, and Uganda.
The IOM said it is concerned about migrants, IDPs, and highly mobile populations in the region, who tend to be at far greater risk of infection due to their living conditions and mobile and transitory lifestyles, which can greatly limit their access to health and medical care.
Sim Swap fraud is a type of identity theft where a malicious actor gains control of a victim’s mobile phone number by persuading or tricking a mobile network operator to transfer the SIM card associated with that number to a new device.
Once the scammer has control of the phone number, they can intercept calls and text messages, including those used for two-factor authentication (2FA). This allows the fraudster to gain access to the victim’s online accounts, such as banking, mobile money, email, and social media, potentially leading to financial loss and other types of identity theft.
To address such cases, RURA has outlined several measures aimed at preventing future incidents.
In a notice to the general public on Wednesday, August 21st, 2024, the authority said SIM card registration or swaps are to be conducted only at permanent premises designated by mobile telecom companies and any SIM card involved in fraudulent activities will be immediately blocked, along with any other SIM cards registered to the ID of the suspected fraudulent individual.
Further, any telecom personnel/agents involved in fraudulent activities will have their business credentials revoked and their SIM cards deactivated.
Issuing or lending a SIM card registered under your ID to another person has been prohibited as it may be used in fraudulent activities.
RURA also announced that bulk Short Message Services (SMS) have been reviewed to enhance service delivery, stating that only telecom companies and licensed aggregators are permitted to send bulk SMS.
The authority further urged mobile users to be vigilant against unsolicited messages, calls requesting money or pretending to be from telecom or government personnel, especially those instructing you to dial certain phone numbers to avoid blocking your phone.
RURA reminded the general public to regularly check the SIM cards registered under their IDs by dialing *125# and following the instructions to self-deregister any unrecognized or undesired SIM cards.
The general public has also been urged to report any fraudulent activities to relevant telcos for assistance.
“In the event of any fraudulent activity, please contact your service provider by dialing the toll-free number 100, which is available for both MTN and Airtel. Alternatively, you may visit their respective service centers for further assistance,” RURA advised.
“For additional support, please contact RURA at the toll-free numbers 3988 or 2222.”
China Daily, a Chinese state-run publication, is at the forefront of media innovation, utilizing AI to streamline newsroom operations and enhance content generation.
During a recent visit to the China Daily offices in Beijing, IGIHE learned that the company has integrated AI into its digital news app, responding to the rising global consumption of digital news compared to traditional newspaper reading.
The mobile application allows readers to access daily stories on the go. AI algorithms in the app help tailor news recommendations to individual readers’ interests. An AI-powered translation tool also facilitates the dissemination of news to a global audience.
Additionally, China Daily has a virtual journalist powered by cutting-edge AI technology. Dubbed Yuanxi, she can perform a wide range of tasks, including scanning and analyzing various news sources in real-time, providing the company with up-to-date news trends and information.
Yuanxi has the ability to process vast amounts of information in real-time, scanning multiple sources, analyzing trends, and generating reports far faster than a human could. This accelerates the news-gathering and reporting process, allowing China Daily to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving news landscape.
Ji Tao, a member of the editorial board at China Daily, describes the innovations and use of new technology at the Chinese media house as a unique selling point.
“Don’t leave the paper, just innovate,” he advises, adding, “Maintaining a neutral stance in reporting is also crucial, ensuring unbiased coverage without taking sides.”
Shao Xinying, journalist and editor at the international news desk, highlights the importance of fact-checking and ensuring authenticity and accurate reporting. “We try our best to fact-check each story, for the sake of accuracy and authenticity,” she adds.
Since its launch in 1981, China Daily has established itself as one of the leading print press companies in China. With a flagship newspaper that covers a wide range of topics, including business, sports, world pop news, and more, China Daily has become a household name.
Besides the technology, the management reiterates that commitment to inclusivity and diversity sets the paper apart. The newspaper invites expats to contribute their opinions, providing a unique perspective on global issues.
These appointments announced through a communiqué released by the Office of Prime Minister on Wednesday, August 21, 2024,come in the wake of the postponement of elections for other district representatives in the Kigali City Council last week.
According to Law No. 22/2019 of July 29, 2019, which governs the City of Kigali, the city is managed by its City Council, which should consist of 11 advisors—six elected members and five appointed by the Head of State.
However, the law permits the President to adjust the number of advisors he can appoint, a power that was exercised in this instance.
The Kigali City Executive Committee is elected from appointed councilors, along with those representing the districts.
The Executive Committee is composed of three members: the Mayor of Kigali, the Vice Mayor in charge of Urbanization and Infrastructure, and the Vice Mayor in charge of Socio-Economic Affairs.
The members of the Kigali City Executive Committee serve a five-year term, which can be renewed once, but they are not allowed to serve more than two consecutive terms.
Central Bank Governor John Rwangombwa made the announcement on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, following a Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting held the previous day.
In his address to the media, Rwangombwa noted that in the second quarter of 2024, headline inflation slightly increased to 5.1 percent in the first quarter, up from 4.7 percent, but remained within the target range of 2 to 8 percent.
He further affirmed that inflation in 2024 and 2025 is expected to remain within the target range, stabilizing around 5 percent.
“Given the current and anticipated stable trend in inflation, the MPC has reduced the CBR by 50 basis points to 6.5 percent from 7.0 percent,” Rwangombwa announced.
The decision to reduce the country’s monetary policy rate is expected to make borrowing more affordable compared to last year, encouraging increased spending and investments.
During its last review in May, the Central Bank reduced the key lending rate from 7.5 percent to 7.0 percent, citing a similar inflation trend. Inflation has decreased significantly since January 2023, when the rate stood at 20.7 percent.
Rwangombwa has attributed the rise in inflation in the second quarter of 2024 to increases in core and energy inflation, which offset a decrease in fresh food inflation.
He explained that the rise in core inflation from 5.6 percent to 6.4 percent was driven by higher transport costs, following an upward revision in public transport fares in March and April this year, as well as increased vehicle prices during the second quarter.
“This was partly offset by the decline in fresh food inflation from 2.5 percent to 1.6 percent resulted from an improved supply of certain fresh fruits and vegetables such as sweet potatoes, cassava roots, tomatoes, green peas and green bananas from Season B 2024 harvest, along with remaining stocks from the bumper harvest of Season A,” he explained.
“There is also a base effect since some vegetable prices were higher in the corresponding quarter of last year. On the other hand, energy inflation rose from 2.7 percent to 4.5 percent due to higher liquid fuel prices after the upward revision in pump prices in April, aligning with international oil trends.”
For 2024 and 2025, headline inflation is projected to remain close to 5.0 percent due to easing food inflation as domestic agricultural production returns to normal levels.
On the other hand, core inflation is expected to increase in 2024, driven by import costs, but is anticipated to decrease in the second half of 2025. Energy inflation is likely to increase slightly in 2024, in line with international oil price projections.
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The Central Bank Governor, however, warned that the projections could be affected by various risks and shocks. Heightened global geopolitical tensions due to conflicts in the Middle East and between Ukraine and Russia could create uncertainties around international commodity prices. Additionally, adverse weather conditions could impact future agricultural supply and food prices.
Meanwhile, Rwanda’s deficit expanded by 9.5 percent in the second quarter of 2024, driven by increased imports compared to exports.
The Central Bank revealed that merchandise exports increased by 0.9 percent in the second quarter of this year, constrained by weak coffee performance due to declining global commodity prices and seasonal factors, as well as reduced revenues from processed food exports. In contrast, merchandise imports rose by 6.4 percent, mainly due to strong demand for core food items, energy products, and some capital goods.
Latest data from the National Institute of Statistics (NISR) shows that the country’s trade deficit widened by 30.9 percent year-on-year, reaching $411.6 million in June this year, up from $314.5 million in June 2023.
On a month-by-month basis, the trade gap expanded by 13.7 percent, from $362 million in May to $411.6 million in June.
The Central Bank notes that the trade deficit continues to put pressure on the Rwandan Franc, though the pressure is lower compared to last year.
“By the end of June 2024, the Rwandan Franc had depreciated by 3.70 percent against the US dollar, compared to 8.80 percent in the same period last year,” Rwangombwa explained.
He assured that, with private and government inflows, gross official reserves stood at 4.7 months of import cover as of June 2024 and are projected to remain adequate, exceeding the 4-month benchmark in the medium term.
For Rwanda, a landlocked country with ambitious goals for economic development, embracing air cargo transport is not just an option; it is a necessity. It plays a crucial role in the global supply chain, responsible for the movement of high-value and time-sensitive goods.
Although it represents only a small percentage of global trade by volume, it accounts for over 35% of global trade by value, underscoring its importance for industries that depend on the rapid and reliable delivery of products.
Key sectors that rely on air cargo include pharmaceuticals, electronics, and perishable goods such as fresh produce, flowers, and seafood.
The need for speed in these industries is driven by the perishable nature of the products, the high costs associated with delays, and the necessity of maintaining product integrity during transit.
For many businesses, especially those operating in just-in-time supply chains, air cargo is the only viable option for ensuring that goods reach their destinations on time and in perfect condition.
Locally, air cargo transport is still in its infant stages. Many businesses and importers continue to rely on traditional shipping methods, such as using ports in Mombasa, Kenya, or Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to bring in goods that are then transported over land across several borders to their final destinations.
Whilst this method has served Rwanda for many years, it is fraught with challenges, including delays, higher costs, and the risk of goods being damaged or spoilt during transit.
Companies like Heart of Africa Trading (HAT) Plc are leading the charge, recognizing the transformative potential of air cargo transport to redefine the nation’s economic landscape.
HAT, a prominent logistics and freight services company based in Kigali, has been instrumental in promoting the benefits of air cargo transport in Rwanda.
With a robust presence both locally and internationally, including offices in Dubai and sea transport services across East Africa, it has become a key player in the country’s logistics sector with efficiency and reliability, a preferred choice for businesses looking to transport goods quickly and securely.
Shyaka Gakuba, the CEO at HAT explains the critical role of air cargo in supporting Rwanda’s economic growth.
“Air cargo offers the speed and reliability that businesses need to stay competitive. It’s not just about moving goods; it’s about ensuring that products reach their markets in the best possible condition,” he says.
This is particularly important for perishable goods and high-value items, where any delay can lead to significant financial losses. Gakuba also highlights the broader impact of air cargo on the economy, noting that it enhances Rwanda’s ability to compete in global markets.
“By embracing air cargo transport, Rwandan businesses can build stronger relationships with international partners and customers. This, in turn, can lead to increased exports, higher revenues, and greater economic stability for the country,” he notes.
In addition to providing reliable transport services, HAT ensures that air cargo services are more accessible to Rwandan businesses, with a range of business incentives to encourage more traders to adopt air cargo transport.
One of the key incentives is providing cash advances to traders who may run out of funds while conducting transactions in foreign countries. This financial support can be a lifeline for businesses, enabling them to continue their operations without interruption and seize new opportunities in the global market.
“At HAT, we understand the challenges that businesses face when dealing with international logistics, that’s why we go the extra mile to offer financial solutions that help our clients overcome these challenges. Our goal is to make air cargo transport not only efficient but also accessible and affordable for businesses of all sizes,” he explains
The limitations of traditional shipping methods are particularly pronounced in industries where speed is essential. For instance, Rwanda’s main exports to the United Arab Emirates, including fruits, flowers, and other perishable products, require rapid transport to maintain their freshness.
Similarly, pharmaceutical products such as vaccines and medicines are highly sensitive to environmental conditions and can lose their efficacy if subjected to the long transit times associated with sea or road transport.
This is where air cargo transport comes into play, offering a faster, more reliable alternative that ensures goods arrive at their destinations quickly and in optimal condition.
For Rwanda, this could mean the difference between maintaining and growing its export markets or falling behind in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.
RwandAir has played a pivotal role in promoting air cargo transport. Having been recognized this year for its exceptional service, ranked third among African air transport companies for customer care and operational efficiency, the national carrier is taking the air cargo business, even a notch higher.
The Cargo department is one of the key developing segments where much emphasis is put to empower handling capabilities and network development both regional and across long haul routes. Currently RwandAir cargo departments is divided into two sub-units.
Cargo commercial section which handles sales and marketing activities, network planning, pricing and revenue Management while the Operations section overlooks all operational activities which include acceptance, tallying, warehouse operations, and handling for both imports and exports, as well as transiting cargo to and from customers.
Currently RwandAir, operates 7 dedicated cargo freighter destinations using 737 SF cargo freighter with a capacity to carry up to 21 tons depending the nature of cargo. These destinations include; Entebbe, Nairobi, Brazzaville, Bangui, Djibouti, Sharjah, Dubai World Centre and Kigali as the hub.
These are supplemented by other destinations served by RwandAir belly capacity. Some of the main destinations served by belly capacity include the United Kingdom, Belgium and France.
RwandAir Ltd. is undeniably steering a challenging environment in trying to capitalize on Rwanda’s untapped potential through air cargo transport with many strategies despite the existing challenges.
Some of the strategies include infrastructure development such as establishing regional connectivity, construction of facilities for Pharma and dangerous goods strategic partnerships and alliances, adaptation to new technology and improving on the existing regulations.
Jean Bosco Gakwaya, the Director of Cargo Services at RwandAir explains that some of the challenges include capacity constraints where the limited number of cargo freighters/Aircraft, warehouse capacities which in turn restricts cargo volumes to be processed
“Rwanda cargo market is relatively small, with limited demand from local businesses. This makes make it difficult to achieve economies of scale,” he says.
Other challenges include competition from road transport, competition from other Airlines, high operational costs and limited Skilled Workforce: External Factors:
Gakwaya admits that geopolitical instabilities in addition to the complex and inconsistent regulatory requirements slow down the development of air cargo services in Rwanda.
And as Rwanda continues to grow and develop, the importance of air cargo transport will only increase. The country is well-positioned to capitalize on the opportunities that air cargo presents, but this will require a shift in mindset and a willingness to invest in the future.
By embracing air cargo transport, Rwanda can ensure that it remains competitive, innovative, and prosperous in the global economy.
Mega Global Market is an e-commerce platform with physical markets in Rwanda and branches in other regions. It offers a variety of products, including supplements, various services and an assortment of other services.
The official launch of Mega Global Market, both the online platform and physical market, is scheduled for September 15, 2024, in Rwanda.
During a meeting with the advisory board, Dr. Francis Habumugisha, the CEO of Mega Global Market, announced that the promotion was introduced to ensure customers continue to benefit from their offerings.
“We have introduced a promotion where everyone who makes purchases between August 19 and 26, 2024, will receive a 20% discount. This applies to the seven travel-related services, including study and leisure trips, as well as to those purchasing various supplements, who will also receive a 20% discount,” the CEO said.
However, he clarified that this discount does not apply to those purchasing a single piece of equipment.
Habumugisha also disclosed plans for a trip with members who have made various purchases on Mega Global Market, company representatives who sold products, and others who meet the required criteria. The trip is scheduled for December 2024 and will be held in Dubai.
During this trip, those who meet the requirements will have all expenses covered, including travel costs, meals, and other necessities until their return.
The CEO confirmed that they are initially focusing on the Asian market but plan to expand to other regions, including America and Europe.
Dr. Arthur Rukundo, Vice President of Mega Global Market in charge of health and well-being, announced that the market offers health-related products (supplements), equipment that promotes a healthy lifestyle, and travel services for those who need to go abroad for education, medical treatment, work, and other purposes.
